Skills of women scientists being wasted, says Commission report
The skills and knowledge of Europe's women scientists are being wasted as a result of gender discrimination, according to a report published by the European Commission on 5 June. 'National policies on women and science in Europe,' prepared by a team of national representatives known as the Helsinki Group on Women and Science, examined statistical data from 30 European countries. It finds that although women constitute a majority of science undergraduates in Europe overall, the nearer the top of the academic hierarchy, the lower the proportion of women. Throughout Europe, women represent a tiny minority of people in top scientific jobs. While there is considerable diversity among the countries in terms of scientific infrastructure and equality measures, a lack of gender balance in decision-making about science policy emerged as a common factor. Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin said: 'The data demonstrate that women scientists are indeed underrepresented in the key positions of scientific research. This confirms that the picture painted in preliminary studies is not an emotional one, but the result of discrimination arising from multiple factors. These need to be addressed if we are to improve the position and role of women in scientific research and hence reinforce the European research area.' The report says that over the last decade, concern has been growing about the underrepresentation of women in scientific careers. In February 1999, the European Commission adopted a communication setting out an action plan to promote gender equality in science. It also commissioned a European Technology Assessment Network (ETAN) report on women and science in the EU. In the same year, the Research Council adopted a resolution on women and science inviting Member States to discuss and exchange views on national policies. Many Member States and associated countries have taken action to redress the gender imbalance in science, from support for local initiatives to the systematic integration of gender equality into all policies and programmes. The report is part of a presentation at a seminar in Madrid, Spain, on 5 June. 'Scientific excellence and gender equality: the views of the European Union,' organised jointly by the Spanish Presidency of the EU, the European Commission and the Residencia de Estudiantes, and will present action taken by the EU in this field and promote debate on the current situation of women in Spain.